Lombard Woman Pleads Guilty To Strangling Her Mom To Death

LOMBARD, IL — A Lombard woman has pleaded guilty to strangling her mother to death and then stealing her car, cellphone and jewelry a year ago. Stephanie DeFalco, 29, faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison after entering a blind guilty plea to the felony charge of first-degree murder early Wednesday in connection with her mother's death.

Police say they were called to a home in the 100 block of Grace Street on March 20, 2018 and found 61-year-old Judith DeFalco dead in her bedroom. During an investigation, police discovered that Stephanie DeFalco had been in an argument with Judith, her mother.

According to police, the argument became physical and Stephanie then strangled Judith to death before fleeing with Judith's cellphone, car and jewelry.

After DeFalco's guilty plea Wednesday, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said, "For those who knew Judith this is a devastating loss. For her family however, I cannot begin to imagine the pain and raw emotions they are experiencing as they not only must continue their lives without Judith’s companionship, but also as they confront the fact that one of their own is responsible for her death."

DeFalco, who has been held in DuPage County Jail on $3 million bond, is set to appear in court again on May 17.

Read more: Woman Charged With Murdering Her Mom In Lombard